A year of 'chasing' the sunrise at Ba Son Bridge.

For 12 months, Nguyen Dat consistently woke up at 4:30 a.m. three times a week, traversing the still-sleepy streets to watch the sun rise over the Ba Son Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City.

The "chase" of dawn

Nguyen Dat, 26 years old, was born and raised in Hiep Binh ward, Ho Chi Minh City. For nearly a year, he has maintained the habit of leaving home three times a week, traveling almost 15 km to the city center to "hunt" for photos on expansive bridges such as Ba Son, Khanh Hoi, or Calmette (Saigon ward). Each season, he adjusts his alarm clock to match the sun's rhythm: on days when it rises early, he leaves home at 4:30 AM; on days when it rises late, he doesn't leave until 5:00 AM. Of course, not every morning is a "hit": some days are cloudy, other days are shrouded in mist. Ho Chi Minh City at dawn is very different: quieter, more poetic, with people exercising, workers starting their early shifts, and even homeless people sleeping under the bridges – sometimes they wake up with him to watch the sky turn red. Gradually, waking up early, photographing the sky, and drinking coffee with like-minded friends before returning to work has become a familiar part of his daily routine. He remembers most vividly the morning in June 2025, when the sky was completely covered with clouds and glowed red like a "sea of ​​fire" - a moment that only occurred once during his journey.

When photography becomes breathing.

If dawn instilled discipline in Dat, sunset was a moment of quiet reflection, allowing him to gaze upon the city from the other side of the light. Under the afternoon sun, Ho Chi Minh City revealed its image as a waterfront metropolis, with the Saigon River and a series of gently winding canals nestled between towering skyscrapers. After nearly a year, Dat no longer focused solely on the sky but began searching for the foreground: a patch of flowers by the roadside, a puddle reflecting Landmark 81, or the Ba Son bridge spanning the river. He arrived earlier than sunset, observing the clouds, trying different angles, waiting for the last rays of sunlight to touch the city. These wandering "hunts" for photos became a habit, a rhythm of breathing, giving him the opportunity to meet and connect with friends who share the same passion and interests.

Source: https://znews.vn/mot-nam-san-duoi-binh-minh-o-cau-ba-son-post1618893.html